IPVANISH VPN Review

Our Verdict

Overall Rating: 9.1/10

Overview

Ranked #6 out of 65 VPNs

IPVanish Earns Top Marks as a No-Logs VPN with a 9.1/10 Rating in Our Rigorous Testing Framework. Boasting an Exceptional Fire TV Stick Application and Rapid File-Sharing Capabilities Tailored for Effortless Torrenting. With Full Ownership of its Server Network, IPVanish Excels in Unblocking US Netflix. Yet, Notable Drawbacks Include Subpar Web Censorship Bypass and Device Compatibility That Lags Behind Industry Peers.

IPVanish VPN Review Category Ratings

Streaming 9.1/10

Privacy & Logging 8.8/10

Server Locations 8.9/10

Security & Features 9.6/10

Customer Support 9.0/10

Torrenting 9.2/10

Speed 9.8/10

Bypassing Censorship 6.0/10

Ease of Use 9.0/10

Price & Value 8.0/10

IPVanish VPN Pros & Cons

Pros

Zero-logs and no IP address leaks
Streams US Netflix & BBC iPlayer
Fast connection speeds
Unlimited simultaneous connections
Best VPN for Fire TV Stick & Kodi
Owns its entire server network

Cons

No VPN browser extensions
No Smart DNS for Smart TV & games consoles
Kill switch leaks on macOS
No kill switch in the iOS app
Doesn't work in China
Can’t unblock HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, or Hotstar

Established in 2012, IPVanish stands out as a premier VPN service, holding its ground among the industry’s elite. The commitment to being a reliable no-logs VPN, initiated in 2017, remained steadfast even after its acquisition by Ziff Davis in 2019.

IPVanish has carved a niche for itself with its secure and anonymized VPN applications. Recognized as the top choice for Fire TV Stick and a preferred option for P2P and Kodi enthusiasts, it continues to uphold its reputation.

In this comprehensive IPVanish review, we subjected all its applications to rigorous testing using our in-house VPN evaluation process. The summarized findings are presented in the table below, providing a quick overview of our assessments. For a more detailed comparison with other VPNs, refer to the later sections of this review.

Who Should Get IPVanish?

Consider IPVanish if:

Anonymous Torrenting is a Priority: Opt for IPVanish if you prioritize anonymous torrenting. With faster P2P speeds than most competitors and a strict no-logs policy, your torrenting activities remain unlinkable to your identity.
Streaming with Kodi is a Must: Choose IPVanish for seamless streaming with Kodi. Its outstanding Fire TV Stick app, coupled with a no-logs policy and IP leak protection, positions it as an excellent choice for Kodi enthusiasts.
Connection to Physical VPN Servers Matters: If having a physical VPN server connection is crucial, IPVanish is among the few services utilizing an all-physical server network (excluding its India location). This ensures the claimed country location of the VPN server remains consistent.

Avoid IPVanish if:

Accessing Geo-Restricted Streaming Content is Vital: If your priority is accessing geo-restricted content, especially from platforms like HBO Max or Amazon Prime Video, IPVanish might not be the ideal choice. It only grants access to 3 Netflix libraries and lacks a Smart DNS feature for Smart TV or gaming console users.
Advanced VPN Features are a Necessity: For experienced VPN users seeking advanced features, IPVanish covers the basics well (encryption, protocols, kill switch) but falls short on advanced functionalities. Features such as multi-hop servers, dedicated IP addresses, and an ad blocker are notably absent.
Bypassing Web Censorship in Restricted Countries is Required: If your aim is to bypass web censorship in a restricted country, be cautious with IPVanish. It has shown inconsistency in working in censorship-heavy environments like China, as indicated by our testing, and its website advises against using the VPN in such censored regions.

IPVanish VPN Key Data

Data Cap	Unlimited
Download Speed	95Mbps
Logging Policy	No Logs
Data Leaks	No
Jurisdiction	US (Five Eyes Member)
Servers	2,200
IP Addresses	40,000+
Countries with Servers	53
US Netflix	Yes
Torrenting	Unlimited
Simultaneous Connections	Unlimited
Works In China	No
Support	24/7 Live Chat
Cheapest Price	$2.99/mo over 27 months
Free Trial	7 Days (Payment Info Required)
Money-Back Guarantee	30-day Money-Back Guarantee

Streaming

IPVanish Successfully Unlocks US Netflix

Rating 9.1/10

IPVanish effectively bypasses geo-restrictions for US Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Hulu, providing seamless access through its dedicated Fire TV Stick and Android apps. Regrettably, compatibility issues arise with Prime Video and HBO Max, prompting the desire for an added Smart DNS feature. For an enhanced streaming-focused experience, ExpressVPN and Surfshark emerge as superior alternatives.

Ranked #11 out of 65 VPNs for Streaming

You can use the list below to see which popular streaming services IPVanish works with:

Streaming platforms	Works with IPVanish VPN
Amazon Prime Video	No
BBC iPlayer	Yes
Channel 4	Yes
Disney+	Yes
Hotstar India	No
Hulu	Yes
Max	Yes
ITVX	Yes
YouTube	Yes
Netflix US	Yes

IPVanish Unlocks US Netflix and Two Other Regions

Unlock American Netflix effortlessly with IPVanish across all its US servers. Extend your streaming options as it seamlessly connects to the UK and India libraries during our comprehensive testing.

Although IPVanish successfully taps into US Netflix, its performance falls short when compared to top-tier Netflix VPNs. Notably, Windscribe outshines IPVanish by granting access to an impressive 10 times more Netflix regions.

Moreover, users may experience sluggish loading times on the Netflix website and mobile app with IPVanish. However, this setback can be effectively addressed by transitioning to the swift WireGuard protocol. Elevate your streaming experience with IPVanish, optimizing access and performance.

Universal Compatibility with UK Streaming Platforms

Leveraging IPVanish’s UK servers grants seamless entry to an array of prominent British streaming services. Achieving a flawless 100% success rate, we effortlessly bypassed geo-restrictions on BBC iPlayer, ITVX, and All 4.

The streaming experience was marked by swift loading times in our browser, ensuring uninterrupted viewing of both on-demand and live content. Enjoy a buffer-free streaming escapade as IPVanish delivers a seamless and responsive gateway to the best of British entertainment.

Reliably Unblocking Hulu with IPVanish

Recent tests affirm IPVanish as an excellent option for Hulu enthusiasts. Employing IPVanish, we effortlessly streamed Hulu from locations beyond the US, seamlessly extending compatibility to all our devices.

Among the 10 US servers subjected to testing, only a solitary IP address encountered a block. This outstanding outcome underscores IPVanish’s reliability in circumventing Hulu restrictions, solidifying its status as a trustworthy choice for unlocking seamless access to Hulu’s content.

Selective Streaming Access with IPVanish

In our evaluations, IPVanish proved unsuccessful in accessing HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, and Hotstar India. Regrettably, our testing revealed a lack of success with these platforms.

When juxtaposed with other VPN options tailored for streaming, IPVanish falls short in terms of reliability, streaming quality, and compatibility with various streaming devices. Optimal streaming experiences are better achieved with alternatives that outperform IPVanish in terms of consistency and device compatibility, making it evident that there are superior VPN choices available for streaming enthusiasts.

PIA's Streaming Performance Against Other Best VPNs

The following table provides a comparative analysis of Private Internet Access in relation to other top-rated streaming VPNs. The assessment is based on its accessibility to Netflix and BBC iPlayer, as well as the availability of streaming with Smart DNS:

VPN Service	Streaming Rating	No. of Netflix Libraries
IPVANISH VPN	9.1	10
ExpressVPN	9.9	10
NordVPN	9.8	12
PrivateVPN	9.8	12
Surfshark	9.7	12

Torrenting

IPVanish: Fast & Anonymous Torrenting

Rating 9.2/10

The IPVanish application, along with its accompanying SOCKS5 proxy, proves to be an excellent choice for seamless torrenting experiences. Embracing a P2P-friendly environment across all servers, its torrenting speeds consistently rank among the swiftest we have observed. While delivering top-tier performance, it’s important to note that IPVanish does not support port forwarding.

Ranked #4 out of 65 VPNs for Torrenting

Here’s a summary of how IPVanish performed in our latest torrenting tests:

Torrenting Attribute	Result
Average Download Bitrate	9.9MiB/s
No. of P2P Servers	2,200
Logging Policy	No Logs
Kill Switch	Yes
Port Forwarding	No

Our evaluation of IPVanish involved connecting to a nearby server and downloading a test torrent file. In every trial, the process unfolded seamlessly, allowing us to effortlessly open the file in the qBittorrent client and successfully complete the download without any disruptions.

IPVanish achieved an impressive average bitrate of 9.9 MiB/s, positioning itself as the joint third fastest VPN for torrenting in our extensive testing. The allowance of P2P traffic across all servers is a noteworthy feature, ensuring minimal congestion and sustaining rapid speeds.

What sets IPVanish apart is its ownership and management of the entire server network, enhancing user anonymity by preventing third-party access to torrenting activity. Crucially, the VPN adheres to a no-logs policy, refraining from storing usage data.

In the realm of security, IPVanish incorporates a reliable VPN kill switch to safeguard against IP leaks in the event of an unexpected disconnection—though it’s worth noting that this feature is not enabled by default.

While IPVanish exhibits strong torrenting capabilities, a potential area for improvement lies in the introduction of port forwarding support. Such an enhancement could further optimize P2P speeds and position IPVanish even closer to the forefront of premier torrenting VPNs.

IPVanish Has a SOCKS5 Proxy

Additionally, the VPN provides its own SOCKS5 proxy, a valuable tool for anonymizing your IP address during torrenting by channeling P2P traffic through a distant proxy service. While this method is typically faster than relying on a VPN, it’s important to note that it does not encrypt your internet traffic.

Configuring the SOCKS5 proxy directly within your torrent client is a straightforward process that eliminates the need for extra software. However, it’s worth mentioning that this configuration can become somewhat technical for users less familiar with such settings.

EXPERT ADVICE: For optimal security, establish a connection to your VPN prior to launching your torrent client, and disconnect from the VPN only after closing the torrent application. This precautionary measure helps prevent potential IP address exposures, especially if your torrent client continues to seed in the background after closure.

Speed

Rapid Speeds Across Every Server Location

Rating 9.8/10

Employing the recently integrated WireGuard protocol, IPVanish demonstrated swift connection speeds across all servers subjected to our testing. Remarkably, we documented a mere 5% average download speed reduction on local servers and a still commendable 12% on international servers.

Ranked #2 out of 65 VPNs for Speed

To assess the speed performance of IPVanish, we gauged the connection speed between our location and IPVanish VPN servers worldwide.

Here are IPVanish’s full speed test results:

	No VPN (New York)	US (New York)	Canada (Toronto)	US (Los Angeles)	UK (London)	Germany (Berlin)	Brazil (São Paulo)	Japan (Tokyo)	South Africa (Johannesburg)	Australia (Sydney)
Server Location
Download Speed	100Mbps	95Mbps	96Mbps	92Mbps	91Mbps	82Mbps	94Mbps	86Mbps	83Mbps	86Mbps
Upload Speed	100Mbps	94Mbps	95Mbps	94Mbps	94Mbps	93Mbps	92Mbps	97Mbps	92Mbps	93Mbps
Ping	1ms	7ms	15ms	71ms	72ms	84ms	113ms	143ms	386ms	213ms
Distance	0mi	5mi	300mi	2,500mi	3,500mi	4,000mi	4,800mi	6,700mi	8,000mi	9,900mi

In our previous assessments, IPVanish exhibited average speeds attributed to its reliance on the slower and older OpenVPN protocol. However, with the implementation of the WireGuard protocol, IPVanish has undergone a remarkable transformation, now securing a position among the fastest VPNs in the market.

As depicted in the table above, IPVanish consistently delivers rapid performance across all locations, boasting an impressive average international download speed of 88Mbps. Notably, IPVanish stands out as the sole VPN service, alongside Hotspot Shield, to consistently achieve download speeds exceeding 80Mbps in every location subjected to our testing.

Refer to the chart below for a comprehensive comparison of IPVanish’s international speeds against other leading VPNs:

The findings underscore that IPVanish stands among the swiftest VPNs currently accessible. Its speeds surpass the requirements for seamless HD streaming, smooth web browsing, and the efficient downloading of large torrent files.

Low Ping for Online Gaming

Maintaining a connection to a nearby IPVanish server yielded a consistently low ping time of 7ms in our tests. This exceptional result ensures a lag-free experience, making IPVanish well-suited for engaging in fast-paced online games.

During extended-distance connections, we observed a rise in ping times and occasional, brief periods of lag. Nevertheless, our online gaming experience remained largely uninterrupted, with no instances of sudden disconnections, allowing for continuous gameplay with minimal disruption.

Price & Value

Value Beyond the Price: Why IPVanish is Worth It

Rating 8.0/10

With a cost of $2.99 per month for its longest subscription plan, IPVanish presents a reasonably priced option among top-tier VPN services. Notably, IPVanish extends a unique offering by providing a seven-day free trial when an account is created on mobile, a feature not commonly found among its competitors. Additionally, a 30-day money-back guarantee is available on all platforms, allowing users an extended trial period to thoroughly evaluate the VPN service.

Ranked #9 out of 65 VPNs for Price & Value

IPVanish offers three billing options, allowing you to subscribe for one month, 15 months, or 27 Months.

Monthly

$7.99/mo

Billed $7.99 each month

15 Months

Save 72%

$3.59/mo

Billed $53.88 the first year, $89.99 thereafter

Save 72%

27 Months

Save 77%

$2.99/mo

Billed $80.75 the first 2 years, $89.99 yearly thereafter

Save 77%

Priced at $12.99, IPVanish’s monthly plan aligns closely with the industry average. However, the most cost-effective option is the 27-month plan, which offers the best value at just $2.99 per month, in line with the pricing structure commonly observed among VPN providers.

Explore IPVanish with a 7-Day Free Mobile Trial

IPVanish has reintroduced its 100% free trial exclusively for new mobile subscribers, a feature uncommon among top-rated VPN services, and a welcome return for users. To initiate the trial, download IPVanish from either the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, and create an account. Upon selection of any plan length during the account creation process, a seven-day free trial is triggered. These account details can then be utilized to explore IPVanish’s applications on Windows, Android, and macOS.

It’s important to note that the full subscription plan price will be charged if cancellation doesn’t occur before the trial period concludes. Alternatively, users can leverage IPVanish’s 30-day money-back guarantee—a no-questions-asked policy with refunds processed within 10 working days. It’s worth mentioning that this guarantee applies exclusively to yearly subscriptions and falls short of the 45-day money-back guarantee offered by CyberGhost.

An additional consideration is that signing up for IPVanish via the Apple App Store negates eligibility for the money-back guarantee entirely.

Payment & Refund Options

Here are all the different payment methods that IPVanish accepts:

IPVanish offers flexible payment options, allowing subscribers to pay via credit card, debit card, or PayPal. For international users, UnionPay is also accepted as a payment method.

However, it’s important to note that IPVanish does not currently support payments through cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, and cash payments are not an available option. This means that achieving total anonymity in subscribing to IPVanish is not possible through these payment methods.

Privacy & Logging Policy

Verified as a No-Logs VPN Service

Rating 8.8/10

IPVanish stands as a trustworthy zero-logs VPN service, committed to maintaining user privacy. The service does not retain records of connection data or browsing activity. The only information logged pertains to your email address and payment method, essential for service maintenance. While the jurisdiction of IPVanish is within the US, its stringent no-logs policy effectively nullifies any concerns related to data retention.

Ranked #15 out of 65 VPNs for Privacy & Logging Policy

Below is a summary of the data that IPVanish logs:

Data Type	Logged by IPVanish VPN
Account Information	Yes
Browsing Activity	No
Date of Last Connection	No
Device Information	No
DNS Queries	No
Individual Bandwidth Usage	No
Individual Connection Timestamps	No
ISP	No
Number of Simultaneous Connections	No
Originating IP Address	No
VPN Server IP	No
VPN Server Location	No

IPVanish upholds a strict no-logs policy, ensuring the non-retention of any connection or usage data. While the collection of email addresses and payment methods is standard practice, these details are essential for typical VPN service operations.

In alignment with privacy policies, IPVanish does gather “aggregated and anonymous performance data” to enhance overall functionality. Crucially, this data is entirely anonymous and not tied to individual users. Notably, IPVanish distinguishes itself by not imposing any simultaneous connections limit, eliminating the necessity to log device connections to its network.

The credibility of IPVanish’s no-logs commitment is underscored by an independent audit conducted by Leviathan Security Group in April 2022. The audit unequivocally affirmed that IPVanish does not log users’ IP addresses, browsing activities, or downloads.

For enhanced transparency, there’s a suggestion to include a warrant canary on IPVanish’s website, providing visibility into any received DMCA requests. Additionally, adopting a practice similar to Windscribe, where regular transparency reports on law enforcement requests are published, would serve as tangible evidence reinforcing IPVanish’s commitment to not logging user data.

Ziff Davis Ownership of IPVanish

IPVanish is presently under the ownership of the New York-based company Ziff Davis and is affiliated with a family of VPN products, which includes StrongVPN and Encrypt.me.

While a US jurisdiction is often associated with privacy concerns due to the country’s intrusive data laws and its membership in the Five Eyes alliance, this aspect is less relevant for IPVanish. The VPN’s stringent no-logs policy ensures that there is no data to hand over to US authorities. As long as IPVanish maintains this logging policy, the company’s US jurisdiction is not a significant source of concern.

Incident of Past Data Sharing

In 2016, IPVanish handed over user logs to the FBI as part of a criminal investigation, a situation made possible due to the VPN actively logging such data at the time.

Over the subsequent seven years, IPVanish has undergone multiple changes in ownership, revamped its logging policy, and subjected its practices to scrutiny through an independent audit.

Given these transformations, we now view IPVanish as a reputable and trustworthy service with a verified no-logs policy. The steps taken since the 2016 incident indicate a commitment to user privacy and a dedication to building a service that aligns with higher standards of security and trustworthiness.

How does the level of privacy offered by IPVANISH compare to other VPNs?

You can see how IPVanish’s logging policy compares to other top-shelf VPNs in the table below:

VPN Service	Privacy Rating	Logging Policy	Jurisdiction
IPVanish	8.8	No Logs	United States
PIA VPN	9.7	No Logs	United States
ExpressVPN	9.2	Connection Logs	(BVI)
NordVPN	8.5	No Logs	Panama
PrivateVPN	8.5	No Logs	Sweden
Surfshark	8.7	Connection Logs	BVI

Server Locations

2,200 Servers, 40,000+ IPs

Rating 8.9/10

IPVanish boasts a network of 2,200 servers distributed across 53 countries and 84 cities, providing extensive coverage across various regions. While this accommodates most user needs, it falls slightly behind the extensive server networks of top-tier VPN services like Private Internet Access. In our testing, we verified that all of IPVanish’s servers are physical, with the exception of its server located in India.

Ranked #12 out of 65 VPNs for Server Locations

84

Cities

53

Countries

40,000+

IP Addresses

Use the table below to see how IPVanish allocates its server coverage:

Continent	Number of Countries
Europe	31
Asia	10
South America	4
North America	5
Africa	1
Oceania	2

IPVanish’s server network comprises a total of 2,200 servers, positioning it within the upper echelon of VPN services we’ve assessed. However, it falls behind industry leaders such as PIA with 18,651 servers and CyberGhost with 9,769.

Despite its size relative to some competitors, IPVanish’s server count proves sufficient, and we observed rare instances of congestion even during peak usage times. The network is well-distributed, particularly across Europe and North America, where it boasts servers in most European countries and over 1400 servers in North America. However, server choices outside these regions are more limited, with only one server location in Africa.

Notably, 58% of IPVanish’s server network is concentrated in Europe, prompting a suggestion for the introduction of new servers in the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa to enhance global coverage.

IPVanish provides city-level server options in six countries, including the US and the UK, facilitating access to geographically restricted content such as NBA blackouts and enabling users to connect to servers for optimal speed. With servers in 14 US states, IPVanish surpasses Windscribe’s 7 states and ExpressVPN‘s 11 but falls short of PIA’s comprehensive coverage of all 50 US states.

No Virtual Servers - IPVanish Guarantee

IPVanish exclusively operates physical servers, ensuring that its bare metal servers are physically situated in their advertised online locations. This approach mitigates the issues associated with virtual servers, which can sometimes lead to the assignment of incorrect IP addresses or hinder internet speeds.

The sole exception to IPVanish’s commitment to physical servers is its virtual server location in India. This deviation is a response to the introduction of intrusive data laws in India in late 2022. Consequently, IPVanish withdrew its servers from within the country, opting instead to provide access to Indian IP addresses through virtual servers that remain unaffected by the mentioned data laws.

Security & Technical Features

IPVanish: Strong Security with Room for Advanced Features

Rating 9.6/10

IPVanish guarantees a secure VPN experience through AES-256 encryption and trusted protocols like OpenVPN and WireGuard. It prevents DNS leaks and IPv6 address exposure while owning its entire server network. However, the lack of an iOS kill switch and occasional macOS issues warrant improvement. Enhancing features across all applications would enhance the overall user experience.

Ranked #3 out of 65 VPNs for Security & Technical Features

Explore the comprehensive list of VPN protocols, encryption ciphers, and technical features offered by IPVanish in the table below:

Protocols	Available in IPVanish VPN
IKEv2/IPSec	No
OpenVPN (TCP/UDP)	Yes
Lightway	Yes
L2TP/IPSec	Yes
PPTP	Yes
SSTP	Yes
WireGuard	Yes

Encryption	Available in IPVanish VPN
AES-128	Yes
AES-192	No
AES-256	Yes
Blowfish	No
ChaCha20	Yes

Security	Available in IPVanish VPN
DNS Leak Blocking	Yes
First-party DNS	Yes
IPv6 Leak Blocking	Yes
Supports TCP Port 443	Yes
VPN Kill Switch	Yes
WebRTC Leak Blocking	No

Advanced Features	Available in IPVanish VPN
Ad Blocker	No
Dedicated IP	No
Double VPN	No
Smart DNS	No
SOCKS	Yes
Split Tunneling	Yes
Static IP	No
Tor over VPN Server	No
Tracker Blocker	No

IPVanish Safe on All Platforms

IPVanish secures your online traffic with industry-standard encryption techniques, offering a choice between the robust AES-256 and ChaCha20 encryption ciphers, both recognized for their virtual invulnerability.

Across all IPVanish applications, the default VPN protocol employed is WireGuard, a reliable and open-source protocol known for ensuring the security of your data.

To validate these security measures, we conducted a thorough examination of our web traffic while connected to an IPVanish VPN server, utilizing Wireshark—an open-source packet inspection tool.

Our examination revealed no instances of unencrypted TCP or UDP traffic, and neither HTTP nor DNS traffic traveled in plain text. Each scrutinized data packet exhibited an unintelligible sequence of symbols.

In simple terms, IPVanish functions precisely as designed. When operational, it thoroughly encrypts outgoing traffic from the device. We rely on the VPN to effectively conceal web activity from ISPs and secure data transfers, particularly on public WiFi networks.

Minor Kill Switch Fault on macOS

IPVanish’s kill switch is designed to halt any internet traffic leaving your device when the VPN connection is inactive.

To validate this functionality, we employed our kill switch testing tool, which identifies IP address leaks following a loss of internet connection and a change in VPN server location.

It’s essential to note that our testing on macOS was conducted exclusively with the OpenVPN protocol, as IPVanish’s kill switch is not available on macOS when using the default WireGuard protocol.

Our findings affirm that IPVanish’s kill switch effectively blocked network traffic on its Windows application. However, on macOS, the kill switch fell short in preventing our IP address from leaking during a VPN server change.

Fortunately, IPVanish’s macOS kill switch successfully concealed our IP address during an abrupt VPN disconnection, a crucial aspect of our evaluation.

Using IPVanish on macOS remains a secure choice; however, we advise users to cease online activities entirely before switching VPN servers. During this interim period, internet traffic may not be encrypted.

It’s worth noting that this issue is not exclusive to IPVanish—ExpressVPN and PrivateVPN encounter similar challenges with their macOS kill switches.

Looking ahead, we anticipate IPVanish addressing this concern and implementing a kill switch for its iOS application in future updates.

IPVanish: No IP or DNS Data Leaks

We conducted thorough testing of IPVanish’s applications for leaks and can affirm that it does not expose IP or DNS data.

The robust protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks is attributed to its integrated leak prevention measures and the fact that IPVanish owns its server network directly.

Desired Technical Additions We Wish to See

IPVanish encompasses the fundamental features typical of a trustworthy VPN service, yet falls short of incorporating the advanced technical features found in top-tier VPNs. Highlighted below are key enhancements we recommend for future implementation by IPVanish:

Multi-hop Servers: Introduce multi-hop servers to bolster encryption and heighten protection against traffic correlation attacks.
Diskless VPN Servers: Adopt diskless VPN servers to ensure near-guaranteed anonymity throughout IPVanish’s privately owned server network.
Dedicated IP: Incorporate dedicated IP options to facilitate secure remote access, enhance streaming performance in specific regions, and provide users with greater control over their VPN IP address.
Open-Sourced Desktop Apps: Enhance transparency by open-sourcing desktop apps. This move would allow users to scrutinize IPVanish’s software, fostering increased confidence and the identification of potential security vulnerabilities.

While many of these features are considered advanced and not strictly essential for a VPN service, given IPVanish’s standing as one of the top VPNs in our evaluations, we anticipate the inclusion of these advanced features to further enhance its service.

Bypassing Web Censorship

IPVanish: Unable to Bypass Stringent Web Censorship

Rating 6.0/10

IPVanish incorporates obfuscation technology; however, in our tests, it has yet to overcome China’s stringent censorship. It may, however, demonstrate efficacy in regions with less aggressive censorship measures.

Ranked #35 out of 65 VPNs for Bypassing Web Censorship

IPVanish is ineffective in China and other heavily censored countries. Regular testing on our Shanghai server has consistently shown its inability to connect to a server location, despite attempts made through the VPN app.

The obfuscation tool, “Scramble VPN traffic,” falls short of bypassing China’s Great Firewall.

While IPVanish may function in regions with less sophisticated web censorship, it is not a reliable choice for beating Chinese censorship. For more dependable results in this regard, we recommend exploring VPNs with specialized obfuscation technology. PrivatVPN, in particular, has achieved a 100% success rate in overcoming the Great Firewall of China through its proprietary protocols and stands out as our top choice for this purpose.

Device & OS Compatibility

IPVanish on Most Devices, lacks Smart DNS

Device Compatibility

IPVanish provides native applications for a variety of platforms, encompassing Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Fire OS, and Linux. The setup process is straightforward, extending to compatibility with home routers. Notably, IPVanish does not offer browser extensions or Smart DNS at present.

Supported on:

You can download and install IPVanish on the following devices:

IPVanish maintains a consistent user experience across its diverse platforms, yet variations exist in the availability of features on each application. Here’s an overview highlighting the key differences among IPVanish applications:

Games Consoles & Streaming Devices

IPVanish can be used on the following devices by installing it on a router:

Installation of IPVanish on a router can be accomplished either manually or by opting for a pre-flashed router. Notably, this is the sole method for utilizing IPVanish on Smart TVs and gaming consoles due to the absence of a Smart DNS tool.

IPVanish distinguishes itself by offering a dedicated native app for Amazon Fire TV, earning it the top spot for Fire TV Stick VPNs. The Fire TV app is user-friendly and, importantly, the VPN does not store any internet logs, ensuring anonymous access for watching Kodi and IPTV content.

Furthermore, IPVanish facilitates the streaming of geo-restricted content on official Kodi add-ons such as IceFilms and NBC Sport, enhancing its versatility for users seeking unrestricted access.

Unlimited Simultaneous Connections

IPVanish offers the rare advantage of allowing unlimited simultaneous connections across devices. This stands out, as many top-tier VPN services typically restrict concurrent connections to five devices per account.

Ease of Use

Configurable Apps, User-Friendly Interface

Rating 9.0/10

IPVanish prioritizes user-friendly applications with straightforward interfaces and numerous configuration options. The similarity in design among its Windows, Android, and iOS apps ensures a consistent user experience across various platforms. However, there is room for improvement by decluttering the home screens to enhance the overall usability of the apps.

Ranked #9 out of 65 VPNs for Ease of Use

To begin using IPVanish, visit its website and click on “Get Started.” Choose your preferred pricing plan, create an account, and proceed to download the app. The entire process is quick and straightforward, typically taking around five minutes.

Notably, IPVanish has recently revamped its apps for the most popular platforms, with the macOS app receiving a redesign in June 2023. This overhaul represents a significant improvement, as the previous app design was outdated and overly technical, resembling a router app interface. The adoption of a more modern user interface across all new VPN apps is a positive development. Further insights into our experience using IPVanish on various operating systems are detailed in the section below.

Desktop & Laptop (Windows & Mac)

IPVanish’s desktop apps share nearly identical designs and features, but certain inconsistencies exist.

You have the flexibility to choose your connection point—be it a country, city, or specific server—from the locations list, or simply hit “connect” for the best available server.

Within the side-menu, there’s a convenient server list sorting feature allowing you to organize by country, server load, or response time. This proves particularly handy in avoiding server congestion during peak usage periods.

The search function allows easy server filtering by keyword, with a single click enabling the addition of a server location to your ‘favorites list’ for swift future access.

For added convenience, you can also select a location directly from a map, a feature expanded beyond Windows to include the macOS app following a recent redesign.

The macOS redesign integrates VPN settings directly into the IPVanish app, eliminating the previous inconvenience of having settings and customization options hidden in the Mac’s native menu bar.

Post-connection to a server, a compact status panel displays key information, including the protocol in use, connection duration, server name, and bandwidth consumption. This streamlined design represents a marked improvement over IPVanish’s previous interface.

Both desktop apps feature a kill switch, IPv6 leak protection, port selection, and the Scramble feature for censorship. Note that on macOS, access to these features requires a switch to OpenVPN. On Windows, port selection and the Scramble feature are limited to OpenVPN.

Mobile (Android & iOS)

In contrast to its desktop counterparts, IPVanish’s mobile apps share a similar interface. Both showcase a map on the top half of their home screens, with the connection status and server location displayed below.

Accessing advanced settings, customer support, and the complete server list is conveniently achieved through tabs at the bottom of both IPVanish’s mobile apps.

Live chat functionality is seamlessly integrated into IPVanish’s mobile apps, ensuring quick and easily accessible customer support.

Similar to the desktop apps, the locations menu on mobile allows for server selection by country or city, with the added capability to view ping and server load data when filtering by cities.

The built-in search function and the option to ‘favorite’ locations for swift server access are also consistent features across both mobile and desktop versions.

IPVanish’s mobile apps are well-integrated within their respective operating systems. The Android app, for instance, includes a toggle for connecting on startup, with the kill switch integrated into the mobile system settings. Additionally, a ‘dark mode’ option enhances accessibility.

On the iOS app, IPVanish introduces optional Siri shortcuts for a simplified user experience. For example, stating “secure connection” will connect you to the last server used. Similarly, a darker background option is available on iOS.

However, it’s worth noting the limitations of the iOS app, lacking a kill switch, split tunneling, and the Scramble protocol.

Fire TV & Android TV

The IPVanish Firestick VPN app stands out as the top performer in our testing. While its design may not be the most polished, it excels in both security and user-friendliness.

The IPVanish Firestick VPN app boasts numerous customizable settings, including options for auto-startup, auto-reconnect, LAN exemption, and even split tunneling.

A notable feature is the prominent real-time upload/download speed graph, akin to IPVanish’s other apps, which, if anything, enhances the visual experience on a TV compared to a phone or computer screen.

Users can opt for either OpenVPN (UDP or TCP) or WireGuard connection protocols. The inclusion of the Scramble feature proves effective in unblocking certain apps that may otherwise block standard VPN traffic.

Addressing previous concerns, IPVanish has recently introduced a kill switch to its Fire TV Stick app. However, it requires users to install a separate Fire TV app to set up the kill switch, an additional and somewhat unnecessary step not present in other VPN services.

How to install IPVanish on your Fire TV Stick:

Select ‘apps’ and then ‘categories’ from the Fire TV Stick home screen.
Choose ‘utility’ and then select the IPVanish application.
Download IPVanish and select ‘open’ to enter your login details.
Click ‘connect’ to use the nearest server, or pick a server from the ‘options’ menu.

IPVANISH on Apple TV

Following the launch of tvOS 17, IPVanish has earned the highest rating among VPNs for releasing an app compatible with Apple TV. With outstanding streaming performance and download speeds, IPVanish has now taken the lead, surpassing ExpressVPN as the top VPN choice for Apple TV.

Setting up IPVanish on Apple TV was a quick five-minute process; however, an option for web browser sign-in would have been appreciated, considering the frustration and time-consuming nature of manually entering login details using the Apple TV remote.

The app itself boasts a streamlined user interface, making navigation easy. A search bar is available to simplify server selection, and users can leverage Siri to locate servers effortlessly. Additionally, the option to favorite servers enhances future accessibility.

Despite its user-friendly design, the IPVanish Apple TV app lacks certain features. It supports only the outdated IKEv2 protocol, omitting OpenVPN or WireGuard, and a discernible kill switch was absent in the settings.

In moving forward, it would be advantageous for IPVanish to address these limitations by incorporating features present in its desktop and mobile apps.

IPVANISH on Linux

Similar to several other VPN services, IPVanish has not developed a native Linux VPN application. To utilize IPVanish on Linux, users must resort to standard command lines in the absence of a graphical user interface.

IPVanish is compatible with various Linux distributions, including Ubuntu, Fedora, Kali, Mint, Lubuntu, and Pop! OS. The Command Line Interface (CLI) supports connections via OpenVPN, PPTP, L2TP, and IKEv2 protocols.

Customer Support

Helpful 24/7 Live Chat Support & Online Resources

Rating 9.0/10

IPVanish offers exceptional customer support options, featuring a comprehensive online help section, 24/7 live chat, and email support. Our experience with its support agents has consistently been positive, characterized by responsiveness and friendliness.

Ranked #7 out of 65 VPNs for Customer Support

You can reach IPVanish’s customer support team in the following ways:

Customer Support	Available in IPVanish VPN
24/7 Email Support	Yes
24/7 Live Chat Support	Yes
Chatbot	Yes
Email Support via Online Form	Yes
Online Resources	Yes
Tutorial Videos	No

The quickest avenue for support is through live chat, easily accessible from the top-right corner of the website. Live chat agents are helpful and consistently provide swift responses. Additionally, the round-the-clock email support is excellent, delivering prompt and well-written responses.

The website offers an abundance of detailed tutorials covering the use of IPVanish on various platforms, featuring, for instance, 12 guides dedicated to utilizing the VPN on Windows.

An extensive online FAQ section provides straightforward solutions to common issues.

Telephone support, a service offered by only a few top VPNs, is available from 9 am to 5 pm CST, Monday to Friday.

A minor criticism pertains to the poorly sized images on IPVanish’s setup guides. Frequently too large, these images can make it challenging to read the instructions.

IPVanish stands out as an exceptional VPN service, excelling in nearly every category.

At a price point of just $2.19 per month, IPVanish is a worthwhile investment, particularly for users engaging in anonymous torrenting, Fire TV Stick usage, and Kodi streaming. Its swift P2P speeds, no-logs policy, IP leak protection, and impressive Fire TV Stick app contribute to its value. The inclusion of SOCKS5 proxy support in the default subscription further distinguishes IPVanish, a feature uncommon among VPN services.

A notable advantage is IPVanish’s rare ownership of its entire server network, including DNS servers, enhancing anonymity for torrenters and Kodi users.

However, it’s important to note that IPVanish may not be the ideal choice for bypassing strict VPN blocks or geo-restrictions, whether for streaming platforms or evading a country’s firewall.

Despite its strengths, IPVanish lacks some of the advanced features offered by its competitors, which may be disappointing for users seeking more comprehensive functionalities from a top-tier VPN service.

In summary, IPVanish is recommended for those seeking anonymous torrenting and Kodi streaming. Its overall ease of use and quick performance make it a valuable option for everyday browsing as well.

Alternatives to IPVanish VPN

While IPVanish is a solid VPN option, there are services available that surpass it in nearly every testing category, albeit at a slightly higher cost.

ExpressVPN, our top-rated VPN service, stands out for its excellence across the board. Although it may not emphasize Fire TV Stick or Kodi to the same extent as IPVanish, ExpressVPN excels in streaming, ease of use, and functionality in censored countries. It boasts compatibility with a wider array of devices, facilitated by its Smart DNS tool and dedicated router app.

Private Internet Access is another highly-featured VPN that outperforms IPVanish in various aspects. Not only does it offer all the additional features lacking in IPVanish, but it also excels in torrenting and boasts a larger VPN server network.

While these alternatives may come at a slightly higher cost, their superior performance and broader range of features make them compelling choices for users seeking a more comprehensive VPN experience.

Comparison of the Best VPNs

The table below compares IPVanish to other top VPN services.



Reviews	ExpressVPN Review	NordVPN Review	PIA VPN Review	Surfshark Review	PrivateVPN Review	IPVanish Review	CyberGhost Review	atlasVPN Review	VyperVPN Review	PureVPN Review
Overall Rating	9.6/10	9.4/10	9.3/10	9.2/10	9.1/10	9.1/10	9.1/10	8.6/10	8.5/10	7.9/10
Download Speed	97Mbps	95Mbps	95Mbps	95Mbps	95Mbps	95Mbps	94Mbps	95Mbps	96Mbps	94Mbps
No. Netflix Regions	10	12	10	10	14	3	13	12	Not work	Not work
Logging Policy	No Identifying Data	No Identifying Data	No Logs	No Identifying Data	No Logs	No Logs	No Identifying Data	no-logs	no-logs	Some User Logs
Countries with Servers	106	60	91	100	62	53	90	42	64	78
Simultaneous Connections	8	6	unlimited	unlimited	10	unlimited	7	unlimited	30	10
Cheapest Price	$6.67/mo over 15 months	$3.29/mo over 2 years	$2.03/mo over 26 months	$2.21/mo over 2 years	$2.00/mo over 3 years	$2.49/mo over 2 years	$2.03/mo over 2 years	$1.99/mo over 3 years	$5.00/mo over 12 months	$1.99/mo over 27 months
Free Trial	7 Days (Mobile Only)	7 Days (Android Only)	7 Days (Mobile Only)	7 Days (Mobile Only)	None	7 Days (Mobile Only)	1, 3 & 7 Days	None	3 Days (Mobile Only)	7 days
Browser Extensions	Chrome, Edge, Firefox	Chrome, Edge, Firefox	Chrome, Edge, Firefox Opera	Chrome, Edge, Firefox	None	None	Chrome, Firefox	None	None	Chrome, Edge, Firefox
Who's It Best for?	Worldwide streamers	Security-focused users	Bargain hunters	Android users looking to spoof GPS data	Beginners on a budget	Fire TV & Kodi streamers	Users who need the same anonymous IP address	perfect for beginners	fast and secure VPN that covers the basics well	good for casual users looking for a cheap service